Maritime Spatial Planning and Coastal Strategy

The marine and coastal area should be planned as an integrated whole. Land-sea interactions include, for example, ecological connections such as nutrient loads and migratory fish routes; infrastructure connections such as cables and the transmission to the national energy grid; functional connections such as maritime and land transport and port operations; as well as tourism and recreational linkages in coastal and marine areas.

Maritime spatial planning and Finland’s Coastal Strategy form a comprehensive planning framework that considers the needs of both nature and human activities. The planning emphasizes multi-level governance, collaboration, regional cooperation, and maintaining an up-to-date situational overview.

Maritime Spatial Planning 

The purpose of maritime spatial planning is to promote the sustainable development and growth of the blue economy, sustainable use of marine natural resources, and achievement of a good status for the marine environment.
Maritime spatial planning is based on the EU Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (2014/89/EU). In Finland the provisions on this are laid down in the Land Use Act (2016/482). Maritime spatial planning is part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy, a policy framework to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive blue economy.

•    Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU  

The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the overall development and guidance of maritime spatial planning, as well as international cooperation.

The responsibility for the preparation and approval of Finland’s Maritime Spatial Plan rests with the coastal Regional Councils. The plan covers the whole sea area of Finland, and it is prepared in three parts. The three areas for the planning process are the Gulf of Finland, the Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian Sea, and the Northern Bothnian Sea, Quark and Bothnian Bay. Åland Islands is responsible for planning its territorial waters. 

The Maritime Spatial Plan is a strategic plan that coordinates the use of maritime space by different sectors, including energy production, maritime transport, fishing and aquaculture, tourism and recreation, as well as the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment. In addition, cultural heritage, mineral extraction, blue biotechnology and the maritime industry are considered. The needs of national defense, special characteristics of marine areas and land-sea interactions are taken into account in planning.

The Maritime Spatial Plan is prepared in broad cooperation between the coastal Regional Councils, maritime authorities, stakeholders and other experts. The Maritime Spatial Plan 2030 for Finland was approved on 15th of December 2020. 

•    Maritime Spatial Plan for Finland 2030 

The regional councils initiated the update of the maritime spatial plan in early 2024. The goal is to approve the updated plan in 2027. You can follow the progress of maritime spatial planning on the website:

•    Maritime Spatial Planning in Finland

Coastal Strategy

The Finnish Coastal Strategy aims to promote the sustainable use of the coastal zone and address the threats posed by biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.

The measures address, among other things, the well-being of nature and people, food and energy security, sustainable land use and construction, improved accessibility, preparedness for emergencies, and maintaining an up-to-date situational picture.

The first Coastal Strategy was developed in 2006. Finland’s Coastal Strategy was revised during 2022–2023 and published in February 2024. 

The Strategy is based on the EU Recommendation on the Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, and Finland’s Maritime Spatial Plan. It takes into account the National Land Use Guidelines, international planning recommendations, as well as current strategies and programmes.

The implementation of the Coastal Strategy will be monitored in connection with the six-year updates of the Maritime Spatial Plan.

•    Finland’s Coastal Strategy

The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for implementing the Forum for Sharing Best Practices action package included in Finland’s Coastal Strategy. The Forum is an open event held twice a year together with maritime spatial planning. 

•    Events Maritime Spatial Planning (merialuesuunnittelu.fi/en) 

Read more

•    Visions and strategies around the Baltic Sea: Maritime Spatial Planning 
•    HELCOM Maritime Spatial Planning
•    HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG
•    European Commission: Maritime Spatial Planning
•    European MSP Platform
•    MSP Global
•    The previous coastal strategy: Hanhijärvi J (2006) Sustainable Coasts. The Finnish Coastal Zone Strategy. The Finnish Environment 15/2006.
•    Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe (2002/413/EC)
•    HELCOM Recommendation on implementation of maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management in the Baltic Sea area (2019)
•    VASAB Common Recommendations for Spatial Planning of the Coastal Zone in the Baltic Sea Region (1996)
•    VASAB Ministerial Tallinn Declaration on Spatial Resilience, 29 June 2025